The diversity of antigen-binding structures of antibody molecules is so vast that every conceivable antigen can be bound by an antibody molecule within the immune system. This is true even for the antigen binding sites of antibodies called idiotypes, which are bound by complementary bind ing sites of other antibodies called anti-idiotypes. Thus, anti-idiotypes are structural homologues of antigens. These idiotypic-anti-idiotypic interactions constitute a network within the immune system. Since one lymphocyte produces only one type of antibody molecule, this network is in fact a network of cells. We expect that the network is functional: the appearance of antigen will disturb the equilibrium of the network at the point where it competes with the anti idiotypic lymphocyte for binding to the idiotypic lympho cyte. It has been known for quite some time that anti idiotypic antibody can be used to prime the immune system for memory to an antigen that it has never seen. This phe nomenon is now being explored for possible use in immuni zation against viruses, bacteria, parasites and tumors as well as for the modulation of autoimmunity. The ability of anti-idiotypes to mimic, both antigenically and function ally, the corresponding biologically active molecules seen by an idiotypic antibody was first demonstrated for the hormone insulin and is now being observed in many other systems. The papers assembled in this volume· bring the reader to the cutting edge of the potential practical applica tions of the network theory of the immune system.

Black & white print. Concepts of Biology is designed for the typical introductory biology course for nonmajors, covering standard scope and sequence requirements. The text includes interesting applications and conveys the major themes of biology, with content that is meaningful and easy to understand. The book is designed to demonstrate biology concepts and to promote scientific literacy.

The Janeway's Immunobiology CD-ROM, Immunobiology Interactive, is included with each book, and can be purchased separately. It contains animations and videos with voiceover narration, as well as the figures from the text for presentation purposes.

Biology has entered an era in which interdisciplinary cooperation is at an all-time high, practical applications follow basic discoveries more quickly than ever before, and new technologiesâ€"recombinant DNA, scanning tunneling microscopes, and moreâ€"are revolutionizing the way science is conducted. The potential for scientific breakthroughs with significant implications for society has never been greater. Opportunities in Biology reports on the state of the new biology, taking a detailed look at the disciplines of biology; examining the advances made in medicine, agriculture, and other fields; and pointing out promising research opportunities. Authored by an expert panel representing a variety of viewpoints, this volume also offers recommendations on how to meet the infrastructure needsâ€"for funding, effective information systems, and other supportâ€"of future biology research. Exploring what has been accomplished and what is on the horizon, Opportunities in Biology is an indispensable resource for students, teachers, and researchers in all subdisciplines of biology as well as for research administrators and those in funding agencies.

The systems biology of microbial infections aims at describing and analysing the confrontation of the host with bacterial and fungal pathogens. It intends to understand and to model the interaction of the host, in particular the immune system of humans or animals, with components of pathogens. This comprises experimental studies that provide spatio-temporal data from monitoring the response of host and pathogenic cells to perturbations or when interacting with each other, as well as the integrative analysis of genome-wide data from both the host and the pathogen. In perspective, the host-pathogen interaction should be described by a combination of spatio-temporal models with interacting molecular networks of the host and the pathogen. The aim is to unravel the main mechanisms of pathogenicity, to identify diagnostic biomarkers and potential drug targets, and to explore novel strategies for personalized therapy by computer simulations. Some microorganisms are part of the normal microbial flora, existing either in a mutualistic or commensal relationship with the host. Microorganisms become pathogenic if they posses certain physiological characteristics and virulence determinants as well as capabilities for immune evasion. Despite the different pathogenesis of infections, there are several common traits: (1) Before infection, pathogens must be able to overcome (epithelial) barriers. The infection starts by adhesion and colonization and is followed by entering of the pathogen into the host through the mucosa or (injured) skin. (2) Next, infection arises if the pathogen multiplies and overgrows the normal microbial flora, either at the place of entrance or in deeper tissue layers or organs. (3) After the growth phase, the pathogen damages the host’s cells, tissues and organs by producing toxins or destructive enzymes. Thus, systems biology of microbial infection comprises all levels of the pathogen and the host’s immune system. The investigation may start with the pathogen, its adhesion and colonization at the host, its interaction with host cell types e.g. epithelia cells, dendritic cells, macrophages, neutrophils, natural killer cells, etc. Because infection diseases are mainly found in patients with a weakened immune system, e.g. reduced activities of immune effector cells or defects in the epithelial barriers, systems biology of infection can also start with modelling of the immune defence including innate and adaptive immunity. Systems biological studies comprise both experimental and theoretical approaches. The experimental studies may be dedicated to reveal the relevance of certain genes or proteins in the above mentioned processes on the side of the pathogen and/or the host by applying functional and biochemical analyses based on knock-out mutants and knock- down experiments. At the theoretical, i.e. mathematical and computational, side systems biology of microbial infection comprises: (1) modelling of molecular mechanisms of bacterial or fungal infections, (2) modelling of non-protective and protective immune defences against microbial pathogens to generate information for possible immune therapy approaches, (3) modelling of infection dynamics and identification of biomarkers for diagnosis and for individualized therapy, (4) identifying essential virulence determinants and thereby predicting potential drug targets.

Nanotechnology in Therapeutics Comprehensive reference delivering a framework to develop and assess nanosystems that provide unique advantages in biomedical applications Nanotechnology in Therapeutics explores the idea that by studying in depth the behavior of living organisms, especially the functionality of their cell membranes, we can develop and evaluate innovative bio-inspired nanosystems that are able to deliver small molecules, biomolecules like proteins, peptides, and other genetic material in terms of the production of new therapies and vaccines. The main concept promoted in this book is an integrated approach for producing new medicines following the nanotoxicity, biotoxicity, regulatory, and ethical guidelines, which are also covered in the book. The book is divided into three parts. Part A provides an introduction and a historical overview of nanotechnology. Part B delves deeper into issues relating to lipid and polymeric nanostructures in medicine. Part C presents the regulatory landscape around nanotechnology and nanomedicine, while highlighting the need to keep an eye on emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning. Overall, this book opens up biomedical applications for previously challenging drugs and drug targets. Written by a highly qualified professor with significant pertinent research experience, Nanotechnology in Therapeutics includes discussion on: Eukaryotic cell membranes, their structural properties, and the thermodynamic payload of their lipid bilayers The DLVO (Derjaguin, Landau, Verwey and Overbeek) theory as a scientific tool for studying the stability and the behavior of nanoparticles Liposomes, lipid nanoparticles, and solid lipid nanoparticles, as well as polymeric nanoparticles, like micelles, polymersomes, and dendrimers Issues in the approval process of nanomedicines by the regulatory agencies, such as complexity, chaos, and nonlinear dynamics With comprehensive coverage of novel concepts that have the potential to transform how new medicines are designed and developed, Nanotechnology in Therapeutics is an essential resource on the subject for chemists in industry, as well as biomedical and pharmaceutical engineers.

This book constitutes the refereed proceedings of the 8th International Conference on Image and Signal Processing, ICISP 2018, held in Cherbourg, France, in July 2018. The 58 revised full papers were carefully reviewed and selected from 122 submissions. The contributions report on the latest developments in image and signal processing, video processing, computer vision, multimedia and computer graphics, and mathematical imaging and vision.

Bailey & Scott's Diagnostic Microbiology - E-BOOK